6. Cedric Paquette

With each passing day, I start to believe more and more that Tampa Bay has a magic elixir that young guys have to drink in order to be successful in the NHL. No matter who they call up and where they are in the lineup, they always seem to deliver. Paquette has only been in the NHL for nine games, but the 2012 fourth-round pick is making a quick impression. He already has five goals, a plus-five, 11 pims, 16 shots, 15 hits, 10 blocked shots, and has won 51.9 per cent of his draws (27-of-52). He'd be much higher on this list if he could keep this up for 10 or 20 games.

5. Aaron Ekblad

Ekblad is quickly proving why he was the number one NHL draft pick last June, and has been rewarding poolies who also made him a top draft pick in prospect drafts as well. With all due respect to Severson, Ekblad has been the best rookie defenceman this season. His nine points is tied for fifth among rookies (and was near the top of the Panthers point leaders), and he was a plus-one. He's also averaging 21:50 of ice time a game.  (Note, this column was written before last night's game was finished.

4. Tanner Pearson

If he can turn it on the rest of the season, Pearson would have the opportunity to join a hall of famer in a nice bit of trivia. Only Ken Dryden has won a Stanley Cup a year before winning a Calder trophy. Of course, Pearson would need to have a great rest of the season to catch up to the rookie league leaders, but it's not like he's out of the race yet. Pearson has seven goals (tied for second among rookies), and 10 points (which puts him fourth). His plus-11 is second, and he does it all in just under 13 minutes a game.

3. Andre Burakovsky

The 19-year-old Cap rookie wasn't on a lot of radars before the season began, but he's definitely on them now. Burakovsky has been a surprise, especially when you consider he doesn't get top minutes, and his most frequent linemates have been Troy Brouwer and Marcus Johansson. Burakovsky has three goals and 12 points in 17 games this season, despite playing just 14 minutes a game.

2. Johnny Gaudreau

It was pretty close between Gaudreau and Burakovsky for this spot. They're tied for goals, assists and points. I felt like Gaudreau gets the advantage because he is slightly ahead of Burakovsky in most of the main categories. Gaudreau has a plus-seven, two power play goals, four power play assists and 28 shots a game. His 17 takeaway are also tops among rookies. While many scoffed that he would win the Calder, he'll definitely be a nominee if he can keep this up.

1. Filip Forsberg

Easily the choice for number one. Everyone is assuming he's going to regress this season, but he's already piled up enough fantasy numbers that will keep him at the top even if he goes stone cold for the next couple of weeks. Before last night's games, Forsberg's 20 points were eight better than the two players tied for second. His plus-19 is also eight better than second, and he also leads rookies in goals, assists, power play points, and shots. In fact, he's one of only two players in the league, not just rookies, to have at least eight goals, 10 assists, a plus-minus of 15 and 40 shots. So he's contributing in a lot of categories, and is a better fantasy option than a lot of non-rookie players as well.